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I've got the HD fork fangs on my 17 FLHP and for me (6'1", standard windshield) they make a night and day difference with wind buffeting at interstate speeds, particularly on days with a strong crosswind.
Just finished replacing a rear head gasket that blew while I was cruising at a bit above 70 mph on a 105 degree day. The big kids tell me that the cylinder just got too hot and that the fork fangs reduce cooling.
Anybody ever play with something like cutting off the bottom 5 inches of the fangs to see if they can reduce wind blockage of the engine cooling without eliminating the bobble head benefits?
I removed the fangs and installed the DK tank deflectors on my 21 Street Glide. Had buffeting, hence the fangs. But also have heat issues with engine. Removed fangs and installed deflectors and have no buffeting. And the engine seems to run cooler. But I also removed cat, installed RH mid-frame deflector and 1" tank lift kit.
I removed the fangs and installed the DK tank deflectors on my 21 Street Glide. Had buffeting, hence the fangs. But also have heat issues with engine. Removed fangs and installed deflectors and have no buffeting. And the engine seems to run cooler. But I also removed cat, installed RH mid-frame deflector and 1" tank lift kit.
Thank you, but, would like to explore any information specifically related to modifying the fangs. There are a lot of threads out there about other alternatives.
I didnt cut down a set of fangs but I did make my own smaller version. Ive run the full size J&P set but the engine temp was noticeably hotter. My version still creates some heat but not as much
.
I didnt cut down a set of fangs but I did make my own smaller version. Ive run the full size J&P set but the engine temp was noticeably hotter. My version still creates some heat but not as much
.
Cool! I love this forum sometimes. Do they still do a good job with the buffeting?
Cool! I love this forum sometimes. Do they still do a good job with the buffeting?
Yeah they do help but not as much as the standard size of course. I don't normally run them in the middle of summer though 'cuz I want all the airflow I can get when it's say above 90. I've also installed the 1-1/2 inch DK Customs tank lift which helps a good bit with buffeting when they're removed. No promises but I'll see if I can fine the sketch I drew for them if you'd like.
Yeah they do help but not as much as the standard size of course. I don't normally run them in the middle of summer though 'cuz I want all the airflow I can get when it's say above 90. I've also installed the 1-1/2 inch DK Customs tank lift which helps a good bit with buffeting when they're removed. No promises but I'll see if I can fine the sketch I drew for them if you'd like.
I doubt that I have the skills & equipment to copy them (I am pretty good at cutting off **** with a Dremel wheel but that is about as far as my metal working goes). There is probably somebody out there that would like the sketch if the mood strikes you. Thank you again!
I've had the fork deflectors on both my 08 Heritage Softail and my 98 Electra Glide and they do help a lot with buffetting. They are somewhat adjustable in that you can tailor how much wind they deflect up behind the windshield/batwing fairing. Never had any differences with the engine getting hot because of them. They actually sit outside the airflow that goes by the engine.
Buffetting is caused by the negative pressure air space behind the windshield/fairing and the only real way to eliminate it is to allow more air in behind the windshield/fairing. This is done by things like fork deflectors, vents in windshields, specially design windshields that allow more air under it. Laminar lips work very well in most applications and they do make one for Harleys. A lot of this stuff is not pretty to look at but they do work. Often another cheap fix is to cut down a taller windshield.
I recently did an experiment with a stock windshield on my batwing fairing. I had one of those screen vents that you see on Gold Wings and other similar bikes that I cut in and mounted on my stock screen. I had cut about 1 1/2 off this screen as it was too tall for me to see over. Going down the highway with the vent closed, I get buffetting. As soon as I open the vent the buffetting goes away. This is with the fork deflectors installed. So this stuff does work.
I had the H-D "fangs" on my 21 SG, but when I went to add the aux lights, the two weren't compatable. I found some at JES Customs that were cut for my problem, and aren't nearly as large as the Harley Fangs but still work as well in reducing buffeting, but are also cut and shaped to funnel air INTO the engine. https://www.jescustomaccents.com/93-...ectors_c47.htm
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Anyone experiment by cutting down the fork fangs?
